Forever begins, just because i thought about it

Current mood: mommy...it's over! (point goes to those of you who know where that comes from)

Current song: "Forever Begins", Common



Wow. it's almost over.



Really.



The last week has been an amazing one, full of wonder, surprise, laughter, recognition, silliness, awe, ... and mostly, the fulfillment of God's work in a tiny kingdom. I'm sure none of us had any idea what was waiting for us when we came here last week, but i'm sure we will all walk away, some not quite knowing what to do with ourselves, some simply processing everything as they are taking it in, and others clearly on fire to do something, anything, with the experience that they have received. We will remember this experience forever. Forever is beginning, just because we thought about it.



Today, the compassion team visited the New Hope Center, an orphanage and community school located 45 minutes outside of Manzini to visit the children living there and also to help with a few community projects, mostly where we planted gardens for needy neighbours living near the school. There were children of all ages everywhere and just waiting to run to us and say hello--a little overwhelming for someone who loves kids, but since they have none of their own, is surprised that they are not asking for a Wii, an Ipod, or even a piece of chocolate. All they wanted was a hug. As we toured the facilities with a few amazing people who have dedicated their lives to the work needing to be done as God commissions it, as they say, I at one point found it hard to believe that 1) these people have given up so much, including lives in Australia, England and Canada, 2) they are not doing it for their own gain, but simply because they wanted to do whatever God said. For me, who knows through her schooling in International Relations that everything is done for some type of gain--even the United Nations has its reasons for doing things, not just for the greater common good--this was especially hard to process. Why would these women, who were perfectly fine in their own lives, choose to move to a country where nobody looks like them (they are White) for which fact they are constantly in danger, for children who would otherwise be forgotten about? I suppose the simple, yet complex answer is that because God said so, they did. Even for me, that's hard to take in and process on my own intellect...perhaps that's why divine intervention is needed.



Anyway, after playing games, singing tons of songs, and learning Gamboot (African-style step dancing with rubber boots), we were all supertired, but so happy that we had met the children, but sad that we couldn't take any of them home--in fact, one of our team members was veering towards our van with a 3-year old (with a very runny nose, i might add) in her arms. Fortunately, we managed to talk her out of an international felony. I don't blame her though--these kids, with no parents and probably more psychological trauma than most North American kids, were so much better behaved and polite.



Tomorrow is our last day of work before we leave Swaziland for our post-mission treat of going to Kruger National Park (lions and rhinos and hippos, oh my!) but before i sign off, let me remind you that Kruger may be the treat, but for me, this whole week of work has really been an amazing experience. Those who have been on mission trips will always tell you that you may go to teach and help the people whom you are serving, but more often than not, the people you are serving always end up giving you way more than you ever could to them. I am among those people. The Motherland has been good to me, and its people have been more than anything i could ever ask for--all i have to do is to just be thankful, and pass on the message and stories that i have taken in over the last few days.



Forever begins, just because we thought about it.



peace and hairgrease,

june.